Aaron Rodgers holding out hope he can play on Sunday

Says he’ll need to take most of the practice snaps on Friday

GREEN BAY—Aaron Rodgers felt better in practice on Thursday than he did on Wednesday and he’s holding out hope he will be able to play on Sunday.

Rodgers took some snaps with the No. 1 offense in practice for the second straight day and called it “a better day.”

He doesn’t know, however, whether that will help him and his broken collarbone get medical clearance in time to play in Dallas.

“If I’m going to play Sunday, I’m going to need to take the majority of the reps tomorrow,” Rodgers said.

He added that he anticipates his collarbone would need to be scanned again in order to get medically cleared, but he wouldn’t say if another scan was scheduled.

The uncertainty as to Rodgers’ status has hung over the Packers more dramatically this week than any other since his injury because Rodgers’ activities in practice have increased considerably. But not even his teammates have gathered any more clarity as to who will be under center against the Cowboys.

“We don’t really know what’s going on,” guard Josh Sitton said. “We don’t know when or if he’ll be back. We’re really kind of like everyone else on the outside. Kind of want to know something, just like everybody else. It’s just one of those things we have to wait and see.”

The general feeling is it’s good to see him more involved in practice, even if the ultimate question remains unanswered for now. Rodgers hasn’t played since the opening series of the game against Chicago on Nov. 4, missing the last five starts.

“He’s getting better,” Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s Aaron Rodgers. The thing you appreciate is the man can throw the football. He throws the heck out of it. It’s good to have him out there.”

Practicing, though still on a limited basis, has brightened Rodgers’ spirits as well. He recalled how difficult it was to be on injured reserve during the final six weeks of the 2006 season, not feeling like a part of the team.

He felt the effects of this layoff when he took his initial first-team snaps on Wednesday, but progress was evident on Thursday.

“I felt a little bit rusty yesterday,” he said. “Took a little bit more as far as reps today and felt better. I felt I was moving well. I felt rested, my legs do. I’ve been able to do more in the weight room.

“But I felt better out there. Throwing it well, but there’s a lot that goes into it, from the ground up – legs, being in the right position, footwork and stuff. Today was a better day.”